mrtedrich

The 235/55/17 tire is a wonderful choice, especially for the front.
Compared to the old 245/45/17, it is 1.3 inches taller. The 235’s
aspect will improve wear, comfort of ride, reduce rolling resistance,
ability to absorb shock (pot holes) and be only slightly less aggressive
in lateral movement.

I would take the rear tires and keep for later use on the front. I
would then put 255/50/17’s on the rear. They have the same approximate
width as the 255/45/18’s and would put equal rubber on the road with the
same visual appearance from the rear. The aspect of the tire vs. the 18
incher would give a more comfortable ride, absorb shocks, and more over,
cost a lot less. The 255/50/17 is just a tenth (depending on
manufacturer) of an inch taller than the 235/55/17 and the 255/45/18,
which has virtually no impact on speedo, etc. If the tenth is a
concern, two burn outs off the line should eliminate that difference.

This is a heck of a lot cheaper than going the 18 inch route, both
initial outlay and future replacement cost. The only downside is losing
the ability to rotate tires from front to rear.

Grantsdale

When are 18"s going to be available?

pilot1129

you dont know?! theyre coming on the sub $20,000 v-8!

just reviving an old myth of the sub 20k v8

kevinb120

you dont know?! theyre coming on the sub $20,000 v-8!

just reviving an old myth of the sub 20k v8 [/b][/quote]
Jesus I should of bet some people on that B)

ManEHawke

That is a good plan. That will look awesome. I love the look of fat rubber on a powerful rwd car. I may not have the money to do that right away as a mod, but it sure is something I could plan on. Putting 255's on the rear with stocker's on the frot would look great.

kevinb120

I definately still think that 18's are a SE thing. Even 500 and Freestyle come from day one with 18" on the limited models. They may just have a handling package with say, 18"s and some flashy brakes, to target the "track" model 350 packaging.

conv_stang

and maybe put it on a diet and reduce the curb weight would be nice.

Strider

Wider is Better!

I definately agree. Fat tires (on the rear) will look awesome. The wider 17's is the best alternative to waiting for the 18's that I've heard yet.

shocktech

I dont know much about tires and rims and all that but gonna ask anyways, can you fit a wider tire on the stock rim?

Dan

Wider is Better!

I definately agree. Fat tires (on the rear) will look awesome. The wider 17's is the best alternative to waiting for the 18's that I've heard yet. [/b][/quote]
How about wide aftermarket 18's and rims.

kevinb120

and maybe put it on a diet and reduce the curb weight would be nice. [/b][/quote]
how much does it weigh exactly?

Strider

:bang: True...

but the guys around me will be askng for a lot more for 18" rims.

kevinb120

What do you think the likelyhood of people to purchase 18" rims that have not done so on their current car already. If you wanted em bad enough, they would be on your car right now.

Stinky Old Fart

There are a couple of details that need to be checked.

Will the 235's and 255's fit on the same rim width?

Will the 255's rub the rear inner or outer fender? This is where having a real '05 Mustang would help!

ManEHawke

How about wide aftermarket 18's and rims. [/b][/quote]
Personally I would actually perfer wide 17's then wide 18's. A bit of sidewall on the side balances things out and makes it looks awesome. Also for me, gotta have that white lettering.

Pred8tor

Yeah, me too. I think the 18's look like rubber coated rims. Plus the 18's don't ride as well since there's less sidewall to absorb road bumps.

Boomer

There are a couple of details that need to be checked.

Will the 235's and 255's fit on the same rim width?

Will the 255's rub the rear inner or outer fender? This is where having a real '05 Mustang would help! [/b][/quote]
Some guys with Cobra's have 275s on a 17x8
I think thats as WIDE as you can go.

On a 9 inch wide rim, the lowest you'd want is a 255.
Although some guys have been said to put 245s on them...I wouldn't risk it.

FinlayZJ

That's not always true. In my Senior Design Research project for we tested the rolling resistance of numerous tires for a major manufacturer. Wider doesn't always equate to more rolling resistance. Tread pattern, air pressure, and rim diameter are also major factors. Don't assume unless you can back it up with physical data.

Stinky Old Fart

That's not always true. In my Senior Design Research project for we tested the rolling resistance of numerous tires for a major manufacturer. Wider doesn't always equate to more rolling resistance. Tread pattern, air pressure, and rim diameter are also major factors. Don't assume unless you can back it up with physical data. [/b][/quote]
I think it is fair to say that two tires, all things being the same, but one being one size wider, will have the wider tire creating more rolling resistance.

ManEHawke

Just ride a bike a bike with a thin skinny tire, and another with a wide tire, and your answer will be solved.